Hometown heroes: Lenoir-Rhyne looks for another big year with six former local products

Wednesday

Aug 6, 2014 at 12:01 AMAug 6, 2014 at 10:23 AM

Richard Walker

GASTONIA  After advancing to the NCAA Division II football championship game last year, expectations are again high for Lenoir-Rhyne University this fall.

Six former local products are on the Bears roster in a year in which Lindys (3rd) and The Sporting News (5th) rank them among the top teams in the country in their respective preseason magazines. Also, on Wednesday, they were picked second in a preseason South Atlantic Conference preseason coaches poll with perennial power Carson-Newman named the favorite.

Liberty  James Passmore (North Gaston 2014) is a freshman offensive lineman for the Flames, who visit North Carolina on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

Limestone  Jonathan Clark (Kings Mountain 2013) is a freshman quarterback, James Taylor (Highland Tech 2013) a freshman offensive lineman, Brian Jackson (Ashbrook 2013) and E.J. Vanderpuye (Ashbrook 2013) freshman wide receivers for the Saints, who play the first game in the history of their program Sept. 6 at home at 1 p.m. against Wingate.

Navy  Isaac Wright (Ashbrook 2014) is a freshman defensive back and Buddy Green (Stanley 1971) is the defensive coordinator for the Midshipmen, who play Ohio State at Baltimore on Aug. 30 at noon.

North Carolina  Norkeithus Otis (Ashbrook 2011) is a senior linebacker for the Tar Heels, who host Liberty on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.

North Carolina A&T  Cody Jones (Hunter Huss 2013) is a sophomore kicker and Major Kay (North Lincoln 2012) a sophomore offensive lineman for the Aggies, who play Alabama A&M at Orlando on Aug. 31 at 11:45 a.m.

N.C. State  Colton Stortz (East Lincoln 2013) is a freshman defensive tackle for the Wolfpack, who host Georgia Southern on Aug. 30 at 12:30 p.m.

Pikeville  LaDarius Adams (Clover 2014) is a freshman running back and Scott McMichael (East Lincoln 2013) a sophomore linebacker for the Bears, who visit Bluefield on Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

South Carolina  Patrick Fish (Burns 2010) is a senior punter for the Gamecocks, who host Texas A&M on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.